SOCIETY OF NORTHERN ILLINOIS. 259 



Iowa, has been engaged in nnrserv and fruit groAving ever since, is a 

 modest and rather reticent man, but one of the closest ol>servers in 

 the State. On the occasion stated Mr. Overton accompanied me, 

 and my subsequent remarks in quotations are substantially and as 

 near as possible, in his own words, and taken down in j)enci] by me 

 as we passed and were observing each variety:" 



WJiife Winter Pearmain — ''Does twice as well top-grafted as 

 on root-grafts, but fruit scabs badly even grown in this way." 



Kiirlij Pciniocl- — ''Far better, and perfectly hardy when top- 

 worked; only half hardy and poor bearer when root-grafted."' 



Hnhhanhton Xonesuch — " Splendid when top-worked, and per- 

 fectly hardy; tender and indifferent when root-grafted." 



Difer — "A good bearer when top-worked; poor bearer when 

 root-grafted." 



American Golden Russett — "Killed in '55 to '56, even when top- 

 worked (thermometer 32" below zero), but has been hurt since; per- 

 fectly tender root-grafted." 



Bo.rburij Bitsseff — ''Does very well top-worked, but will not 

 succeed root-grafted." 



Fulton — "Only bears well when top-worked." 



Siraar — "First rate, and a good bearer when top-worked, but 

 only succeeds in this way." 



Esopno Spitzenhimf — " First rate, perfectly hardy and bears 

 well when top-worked, but does not succeed root-grafted." 



Porter ^" Fine, but only when top-worked."" 



Little Bed Boiiianite (Gilpin) — "Hardy, and a great bearer 

 when top-worked; not hardy when root-grafted." 



Winesap — " Far better and more ])rolific when top-worked." 



MicJiael Henry Pippin — "Good only when top-worked."" 



Fall Pippin — "Fine and hardy top-worked; only half hardy 

 root-grafted." 



JoiiafJnni — "Far better tn])-worked standing side by side." 



Pidjx'ltooken — "Fine and quite hardy top-worked; only half 

 hardy and variable in quality when root-grafted." 



Waqner — "First rate, and don"t Ijlight when top-^vorked." 



"1)1 the hard winters above alluded to (1855-*0-"7 ). Mr. Over- 

 ton's trees of Kambo, root-grafted, about one hundred, were all 

 killed to the ground, while in Mr. John Gamble's orchard, about one- 

 quarter of a mile distant, there were two trees of this kind, top- 

 grafted, ])lanted out in 1851, which were uninjured, and are now 

 perfectly sound, bearing plentifully." 



The Professor then mentions the William"s Favorite upon liis 

 grounds at Knoxville, some of which are root-grafted and some top- 

 worked four feet above the ground, stating that the latter had I)een 

 in bearing aljout ten years, and are by far the most profitable sum- 

 mer apples he has, while five of the root-grafted trees did not, in 

 proportion to age and size, produce as much .fruit as one of the top- 

 grafted trees. 



